Leviticus

About Leviticus

Leviticus is a handbook for life with a holy God, given to Israel at Sinai right after the tabernacle was built. It explains sacrifices, priests, clean and unclean, and holy days—all answering one question: how can sinful people live near a holy God? Its picture of atonement through sacrifice sets up the Bible's later teaching about forgiveness and the cross.

Written by

Traditionally attributed to Moses; the book repeatedly says the LORD spoke these words to Moses, though it doesn't name who wrote them down.

When

The traditional view sets these instructions at Mount Sinai in Moses' day (around 1400s–1200s BC), while many scholars date the book's final written form much later; the dating remains genuinely debated.

Themes

• Holiness
• Sacrifice and atonement
• Clean and unclean
• Priests and worship
• Loving your neighbor

Key verses

• Leviticus 19:2“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
• Leviticus 17:11For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
• Leviticus 19:18Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.